Charges laid in 2025 crash that killed Kelowna senior
Published 3:13 pm Monday, September 21, 2026
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The alleged driver of the uninsured BMW involved in a car crash in February 2025 that killed a Kelowna woman and was investigated by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) has officially been charged.
Charges were approved on Friday, Sept. 18 for Tristian Pelletier-Vallee. The now-30-year-old is charged with dangerous operation causing death, dangerous operation causing bodily harm and failure to stop for a collision on Feb. 27, 2025 at Highway 97 and Highway 33 in Kelowna.
The BMW was identified that evening, around 6 p.m., by the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team as being uninsured. Officers in an unmarked police car followed the BMW as it turned off Highway 97.
The BMW, in which it is believed Pelletier-Vallee was driving, was observed speeding up and merging back onto Highway 97. Officers said they lost sight of the vehicle and continued driving with the flow of traffic in the direction the BMW was last seen travelling.
Shortly after, the BMW crashed with a Mitsubishi SUV and a Mazda sedan at the intersection with Highway 33.
The collision closed the intersection until approximately 4 a.m. the following morning while RCMP investigated.
Driving the Mitsubishi was Monique Saebels. She and her granddaughter suffered extensive injuries and were transported to hospital for treatment.
Saebles’ 90-year-old mom, Louisa Nicole Saebels, was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash. She went into medical distress at the scene. Despite being rushed away by ambulance, the senior died in hospital.
The charges have not been proven in court. There is no indication as to when Pelletier-Vallee is expected to appear in court on the matter.